All Psyched Up: Letting Go

By Medicine Hat News on March 9, 2024.

We live in a society that is determined to accumulate and hold on. Often I think about a old country song called “The Gambler” in which Kenny Rogers sings: “You gotta know when to hold ’em. Know when to fold ’em. Know when to walk away. Know when to run”.

Well, this week I have been thinking about all the things that we might consider letting go of:

1. Toxic relationships –

Allowing abuse and negativity into your life just ruins your attitude and ability to stay positive. Imagine what would happen if you had a glass of pure water but added a few drops of poison before drinking it. The water wouldn’t be able to neutralize the poison. Feeling sorry for an individual who is toxic is dangerous. Develop some boundaries or before long you will find that your life and all your other relationships will be jeopardized.

2. Past hurts – Everyone on earth experiences trauma and problems during their life that can leave vulnerability and open emotional wounds for a time. Nursing the pain, however, can become barriers to health. We don’t forgive others for their sakes. They might not even know that they hurt you. We need to forgive for our sake. Forgiveness releases us from the prison that otherwise traps us. Oh, and don’t forget to forgive yourself for things that occurred long, long ago. There is no blessing in holding on – freedom comes from letting go.

3. Material goods – Each of us starts out in a crib and ends up in a crib. In between we seem to find ourselves buying things we don’t need with money we don’t have often to impress people we don’t even like. Right now, I am wondering how many pillows I actually need. Why are your shelves full of books you haven’t read or your garage housing expensive tools that you don’t use? A close friend and I spoke this evening about how she moved from Saskatchewan to New Brunswick. She sold, gave away and burned everything and told me about the wonderful freedom that gave her.

4. Bad Habits – Do you chew your nails? What are you putting in your body that you know is bad for you? When are you going to start on the promises you have been making to yourself for weeks or even years? Procrastination, lack of willpower and apathy are all choices you make. The good news is that every day you can make new choices starting right now. No more excuses.

5. Lies – Often people tell themselves and others the things that they think they should say. Are you trying to convince yourself that you love your job when you don’t? Are you pretending that you are happy with your life the way it is right now when you really aren’t? Maybe it is time to take a look in the mirror and get really honest with yourself. If you are lying to others, remember that you can build a good reputation over the years and lose it in seconds. If you are lying to yourself, then you are guilty of stealing health and happiness that you deserve. No one likes to hear that they are responsible for the choices they make – but they are.

I have only given you five different things that might be holding you back. Deep down, you know exactly what you need to let go of.

No better time than right now for a private meeting with yourself to examine the truth and make a plan! Choose wisely.

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Medicine Hat. She can be reached at 403-529-6877 or through email office@drlindahancock.com

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